Rosepiken — Attraction in Molde

Interesting little outdoor sculpture. share

Once upon a time, there was a charming little city on the Romsdal Peninsula in Norway called Molde. A hundred years or so ago, it was nicknamed rosebyen or “City of Roses” by Norwegians. That’s because all summer long, Molde is spectacularly abloom with roses of all varieties, including the town’s signature “Molderosen.” Even the roof of the town hall is covered in a garden of fragrant, lush flowers. And to this day, tourist ships are welcomed with a bouquet of roses upon arrival in Molde. At the center of it all in Town Hall Square stands a bronze statue of the Rose Maiden. Rosepiken is young and lovely. She holds a basket laden with what look to be rose blossoms spun from gold dust. These gilded blooms are reflected in the gold-tinted windows of the town hall. Created by Ragnhild Butenschøn, the sculpture was gifted to the city in 1971 by Gotlib Moe.

Butenschøn, an Oslo-born sculptor, was especially known for her religious art, so the playful Rosepiken seems to be a departure from her more serious work. Roses, of course, are important symbols in Christianity, with the five petals of the rose representing the five wounds of Christ from the...

The "Rosepiken" (Rose maiden) and the Molde city hall are located downtown / city center and form a part of the city square. It's possible to relax and relish an ice cream. Nice place to enjoy the majestic mountain peaks/ tops, and as well follow the small-town life and ferry traffic on the...

Die Skulptur Rosepiken steht auf einem weiten Platz vor dem Rathaus der Stadt Molde. Bei unserem Besuch war dem Springbrunnen wohl etwas die Energie ausgegangen. Anstatt meterhoher Fontäne plätscherte das Wasser nur etwa Kniehoch. Insgesamt empfand ich den Hype um die Rosen ein bisschen...